Monday, June 29, 2015

HERE'S TWITCHIN' AT YOU - GRRR!

OK, I had a really hard time getting to church this week.

The alarm went off – (about ½ an hour before I had to get up – not a morning person!) – and I started to wrestle with myself.

Inner dialogue:

"The Hub" isn't going this week, so it's all right if I stay home, too.""I went to Bible Study on Tuesday.""I have to drive down to see my mom tomorrow, and I don't want to start out tired.""I have a headache, more sleep would help.""God will understand."

Maybe it was that last argument that convinced me to get up and get dressed and get going.

Once there, I decided to do something different this week.

I sat in the second row with a friend of mine from Bible Study!

She said she liked to sit up there because it kept her from being distracted by other people and other things happening around her. Sounded like a good reason to me.

So yes, I broke out of my little mold, and ventured to the front of the sanctuary!

Settled in, I was READY for church.

We begin our service with announcements, and then we have a time of singing.

OK, so now I discover some of the reasons why I do not sit in the front. For one thing, the music is really loud. Which was distracting. And then, I started to *inspect* the worship team.

New inner dialogue:

"I really like his boots. Black, clunky. I wish they made something like that for women.""Wonder whose kid that is on guitar?""How loud are the drums behind that plexiglass?""I think I can see through her skirt. Wait, no, just a trick of the light.""The communion table looks handmade. Wonder who did that…"

Oops!

Back to concentrating on the songs.

"I wonder if people are looking at my back. Do they think I'm fat?"

Back to music.

"Huh, I never noticed those speakers at the bottom of the platform. Or are those heat registers?"

Music, Sharon.

So, you get the picture. My mind was wandering, rambling. Roaming around like a hapless hobo stuck on the Trivia Train.

You know what I'm talking about. Those annoying little ticsthat wiggle of their own accord. Sorta like face hiccups. So, I tried to rub it – no good. I tried to wiggle my eyebrow up and down – nope. I even gave it a few little punches – absolutely no good.

Twitching continued.

Now, I might just insert here a moment of praise. I was thankful that it was my eyebrow, and not my eyelid, that was doing the twitching. Could you imagine if every time the pastor said something wonderful, I winked at him???

"Amen, Pastor! (Wink, wink…)"

I looked up this ridiculous phenomenon.

"Although the cause is generally unknown, it may be associated with:Fatigue, Stress, Caffeine."(Which is totally weird, as I wasn't tired (HA), stressed (puh-leeze), or jacked up on caffeine, (*chai tea latte – 4 out of 5 on the caffeine scale*).

"This minor form of twitch is painless and harmless. It usually goes away on its own. But it can be quite annoying."

(Which is perhaps the understatement of the week).

Let me say, the sermon was powerful, captivating, and encouraging.

And I managed to take notes and let it all sink in – despite my twitching.

But when I got home, I started to ponder a bit.

I remember reading "The Screwtape Letters," by C. S. Lewis. Basically, the book is a series of letters written by a senior demon, Screwtape, to his nephew Wormwood, a junior tempter. After the second letter, the Patient (of Wormwood) converts to Christianity, and Wormwood is chastised for allowing this.

However, Screwtape assures Wormwood that all is not lost.

Though the Patient is lost to them for eternity, they can still render him ineffective. They can still use him in their battle against the Enemy.(Interestingly enough, The Enemy of the enemy of our souls is our Friend, God!)

I particularly remember one scene when the Patient is in church, and Screwtape advises Wormwood to keep him distracted.

Yes, the battle against distractions.

C. S. Lewis once said, "Pain insists upon being attended to. God…shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world." ("The Problem of Pain")

So I wonder…

Does the devil whisper in distraction?Does he tap our shoulders lightly through irritation and aggravation?Does he nudge us from behind over countless frustrations and interruptions?

Most of us will recognize a full-frontal assault. We know when the devil has unleashed a nuclear bomb attack – illness, death, financial setbacks, etc.

But, it seems to me that he is just as content to use a peashooter.

The incessant onslaught of the countless little distractions that, well, distract us. It is a very effective weapon.

Screwtape encourages Wormwood to attack his patient's peevishness. To keep him getting easily irritated by unimportant and insignificant things – the sort of things that can slowly undermine endurance, purpose, and faith.

Like the steady drip of a leaky faucet – this strategy can be very effective.

Especially when we are thinking about the Lord – during church or Bible Study, while reading the Bible, while praying…

"When this, or any other distraction, crosses his mind you ought to encourage him to thrust it away by sheer will power and to try to continue...as if nothing had happened; once he accepts the distraction as his present problem and lays that before the Enemy and makes it the main theme of his prayers and his endeavours, then, so far from doing good, you have done harm."("The Screwtape Letters")

For yes, indeed, a small rivulet can one day become the torrent that carves a canyon.

And small distractions can subtly lead us away from what matters most – until we find ourselves far, far away.

If we ever kept track of our daily distractions – (don't, it's too distracting!) – but if we did, we'd find that our minds are flitting all over the place most of the time.

And therein is the trap.

What is the devil trying to accomplish by keeping us irritated with interruptions and intrusions on *our* time?How does he use what Screwtape called "the pressures of the ordinary" to keep us away from the influence of God?How can the *familiar* breed contempt in our hearts, and the *mundane* blind us to the miraculous?In what ways are we susceptible to diabolical influence by the use of "the sort of minor but menacing distractions that can slowly undermine the patient's faith"?

These are good things to ponder.

For indeed, the Christian life is full of distractions. We are often beset by the ordinary moments of being human, blinded by the drudgery of the here-and-now, and burdened with the menial and mundane.

It all serves to render us ineffective.

Discouraged and defeated.

Saved for eternity, but perhaps no earthly good.

Brothers and sisters, we cannot become complacent in this battle.

For the journey of faith is one of FOCUS.

Intentional, prayerful, Holy-Spirit-enabled determination to live our lives to the glory of God.

Sure, the Narrow Way is sometimes impeded by boulders – but more often than not, it's just littered with pebbles.

And stubbed toes can waylay us just as easily as a broken leg.

Maybe even more effectively – for a "major injury" can sideline us, force us to stop and take stock of what we're doing (or not doing). Minor "injuries" can sidetrack us.

And we must not be deterred.

For we are called to be actively and single-mindedly focused on Kingdom purposes.

We are called to do battle, waging war against an enemy who has already been conquered, fighting side-by-side with a Savior who has already won our victory.

We must always remember that our minds, our thoughts are a battleground.

We must be canny to the weapon of distraction, and how mightily (and insidiously) this weapon is used against us.

And we must remember that the devil will do anything and everything – big and small – to keep our eyes off of Jesus.

We must be alert and aware.

Do you know that my twitching eye is gone now? It probably stopped as soon as I walked out of church. A distraction no longer needed.

But trust me, there will be more.

More today, and more every day until we go home.

For we belong to "The Enemy"– (as Screwtape calls God) – of the enemy of our souls.

And he is not happy about that.

To which I say...

"Good."Dear Wormwood and Screwtape,We are aware of your efforts on behalf of your Father Below. We know that he is a subtle enemy, more often than not preferring an understated attack than a full-frontal assault. We know that you work tirelessly to distract us from our focus on your Enemy, our Lord. And we know that we are powerless to fight against you alone. But, we know what you're up to – we're onto your schemes. And, praise God, by His wisdom we will not be fooled, and by His strength we will overcome.By the way, you're already defeated. Tell that to your leader. Remind him of the Cross.Never yours…truly,A believer

Don't mind me.

Not winking,just twitching.

(Wink, wink...)

"So all of you who are holy partners in a heavenly calling, let's turn our attention to Jesus, the Emissary of God and High Priest, who brought us the faith we profess..." (Hebrews 3:1, VOICE)

"Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed..." (Hebrews 12:2, MSG)

"Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]." (Hebrews 12:1-2, AMP)

"I lift up my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned in heaven."

(Psalm 123:1, NIV))

"I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken." (Psalm 16:8, NIV)

"But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge...Keep me safe from the traps set by evildoers, from the snares they have laid for me." (Psalm 141:8-9, NIV)

42 comments:

WOW Sharon ... I was here earlier, read this and was amazed! (then I had this *twitchin* grrr) ... not exactly, however I did not have an answer to your question:What *distractions* is the enemy using in your life to avert you from following Jesus? {could it be - ever so many distractions that I do do what you advised us not to do}

However, this is the most profound part for me (starting with this: "What is the devil trying to accomplish by keeping us irritated with interruptions and intrusions on *our* time?" ... and the following 3 so I went away pondering these ... especially this first one. Daily distractions ... a trap. Yep. Couldn't agree more with all those tiny "pebbles" because it's easy to see those "boulders".

What an excellent reminder in so many ways and insight points you give us! Not sure if I can say "thank you" (grrr) but you are so right. So many distractions and substitutes for simple faith. Looks like the battle is raging more and more each day. Both lions are on active duty. But I am thankful that the Lion of Judah has already won and defeated the one that prowls to destroy. It's just so hard much of the time to keep our eyes FOCUSed on eternity when there are so many atrocities and distractions in our world and our personal struggles in our lives. The enemy is defeated anyhow ... hallelujah! So I will remind him as you have ... "you made taunt us with our past and distract us with these "pebbles" but my eyes are focused on The Rock and I'll glad remind you, devil of your future!"

Many blessings,Peggy(I had to go back to my post and link to here today because it's like you knew, but we know: JESUS KNOWS or God already did)

Oh, I just had to add, I am a definite front row attendee (or the sidelines)! I do hope you take care of your "twitch" (itch of caffeine, fatigue, and stress)Be richly blessed and not so stressed my dear Sharon, with love and prayers ... me again.

Oh, my word! I could just picture you sitting there, had your eyelid been doing the twitching, and "winking" at the pastor continually!!!!!! You gave me a huge chuckle and SO much encouragement as always. I have never read that book...but, boy did C. S. hit the nail on the head! I have never thought of it this way, but it is usually those small distractions that satan uses to vex our spirits and upset our nerves. Oh, my, I can see this so clearly now, after reading your post. So, this is another way that we are now no longer "ignorant of his devices" and now that we know, we can be on the lookout for the subtlety with which he torments our lives. I am praying for you, sweet friend, and trusting you are feeling well. God be with you. Love and appreciate you so much!

Another great one, Sharon! I am glad you got up and made it to church :) I was side lined yesterday; van wouldn't start and hubby was already at church on the worship team. Didn't want to have him come and get me because I figured that was the one time something would happen to his car, LOL, flat tire, accident, whatever and they needed him playing. I watched the service online and took great notes :) It was not as distracting as I thought either being at home as compared to being at church. What distracts me at church is people walking in late or talking.....

But back to what you wrote, so true about the distractions the enemy will use in an attempt to keep our eyes and hearts and minds off of Jesus. Even sometimes distractions that we think are furthering God's kingdom, like serving more and then taking away time from spending in the word, etc. can be distractions if we aren't careful. We do have to remember, as you so eloquently put it, that the enemy has been defeated; we just need to make sure we don't get defeated by him.

Sharon- this is so good and sooo true I was chuckling and relating the whole time. I sit on the front row because, I often have responsibilities on the stage, how I also do it so I won't get distracted by others, but I can still get distracted by what is happening on the stage.

I have been aware of the enemies distractions lately and it frustrates me when I know it and still find myself buying into the distractions.... grrrr.... :) I found your post over at Monday Musings

Excellent post, Sharon! Satan will do anything he can to distract us from prayer, worship, and God's Word. It's like death from a thousand paper cuts. Linked up with you at Playdates with God -- hope you'll stop by Saved by Grace for a visit!God bless,Lauriehttp://savedbygracebiblestudy.blogspot.com/

Hi Sharon! "Sort of like face-hiccups"? I LOVE that analogy!Your wandering thoughts are not news to me, I am guilty of the same things. Love me some CS Lewis though. I really enjoyed reading the quotes you had here. I always think that if I take those distractions too seriously, I have bought into a world of trouble. The ideas that float by are usually not the problem. The problem is my participation in them.

Here's to ignoring back-fat and getting on with the service!!Monday blessings,Ceil

The Screwtape Letters is very appropriate to the distractions you felt in church, even the eyebrow twitching. That is an excellent book. And God is the enemy of our enemy, thank goodness we have an all powerful ally.

Oh Sharon, you had me in stiches laughing so hard. I could visualize you on that close up front row and the distractions. I too am glad it was not your eye lid twitching, as a wink would have been outright outrageous. I sit on the second row, cause I take notes and post Pastor's sermon Sunday evening. Also I can hear better up close. Sunday I noticed a girl and invited her to return, then I realized sitting up front, I don't see people in back, and she was not new after all. I suppose that could be a distraction, and I must see how I can correct that. Thank you for sharing your wonderful post with us here at Tell me a True Story. - Loved it !!

You've hit on such a powerful message, Sharon - it is so often those "little distractions" that pull us away from our focus on the Lord. We must be mindful! Thanks for your humorous, and accurate, take on this continual problem in our lives. Oh, and now you have me wanting to read The Screwtape Letters all over again!Blessings!

Sharon, for two days in a row I've been led to your blog. Today from Finding rest linkup. God must want me to get a handle on this distraction thing! Thanks again. I can really relate to the struggle between the desire to pay attention to the things of God and the distraction to trivial things.

I like that ending prayer. It really sums it up for me! The enemy never quits and truly does like to make us ineffective if he can't determine our destiny. Thank you so much for these reminders and the reminder that we have the victory and need to fight distractions. It's strange how powerful we are when we all come together in our church services; no wonder the enemy of our souls hits us with so many distractions. Amazing that we can hear the Lord speak to us at all!!!!

Hiya Again today Sharon - I commented yesterday an now again today since you are my neighbor over at RaRa Linkup & Tell it to me Tuesday. We must be posting at the same time each day :) So Howdy neighbor! Reread your post again today and still just as powerful and thought provoking as yesterday! Thanks and Blessings to you

Hello Sharon,This is the first time that I've visited your blog and I just had to stop and tell you that this will not be the last you see of me visiting here! Thank you so much...your writing reminds me so much of two dear Sisters in Christ...neither of whom are bloggers...but all three of you have that gift of holding one close with words as the Holy Spirit works in lives! God bless you, Sharon.

Distractions are so easy to come by...I stayed home from church this past week, only two hour sleep...yet I did not sleep while my husband was gone to church. STayed awake the whole day, should have went to church...wonder if I will ever get it right every time. Thoughtful post Sharon...

Great post filled with so many valid truths. I absolutely know this is how the devil gets to me. I am your neighbor on #TellHisStory! I love your words and I would love for you to be a part of the #RaRalinkup on Tuesdays.

Great post - and I love the way you wove "The Letters" into it - I certainly get distracted, especially in the morning. Right now it is yard work to do...you got my ear, Sharon! #28 at Three Word Wednesday today.

Clever analogy! It is truly fascinating how the gift of our senses, a miracle from God, can be used against so easily in this fallen flesh. It takes true diligence and "drawing nigh unto Him" for us to rise above this faulty soul cage. Thanks for the reminder to be on guard.

I sit in the back because on less distracted where I can see what's going on around me then when I can't see and start wondering. Even then sometimes I struggle to focus but I know that's exactly what Satan wants so I keep going.

Sharon, I love that you got "GRRR" into the title of your post. Ha! -- I am highly distracted in almost every setting, and my mind races at 100 mles a minute, so this post really resonated with me. I mean, I know I am supposed to take every thought captive, but that is a HUGE amount of thoughts. :) -- I am so thankful that God gives us grace, and that we don't have to do this on our own. He is renewing my mind -- as I read His Word, and even as I read this post! Thanks for always nudging us closer to Him. I think you are awesome. xo

"...irritated by unimportant and insignificant things – the sort of things that can slowly undermine endurance, purpose, and faith." oh, my did I need to read this post today, Sharon! Undermine endurance, um, yup that's were I am this week, feeling weak, tired, done with it! Thank you for reminding me that these things are the subtle attacks of the devil. So thankful we don't have to stand up to him on our own! We have a mighty God Who does that for us, we only have to recognize the need and ask. {wink, wink} BTW - that's one of my favorite books, I think it's time for a re-read!

Those twitches and distractions can drive us crazy! I like this link from your post, "And we must remember that the devil will do anything and everything – big and small – to keep our eyes off of Jesus."

My distractions usually come in the form of a couple of challenging relationships. Thanks for the reminder that Satan may be using these to push me off course and to tempt me to take my eyes off of Jesus.

Hi Sharon! Well, I might have actually written this post--if you hadn't. The bit about distractions during the music service is so on the mark. That's why I don't sit near the front. Always in the back. TOOOO LOUD! I don't know why it continues since most people complain about how loud and distracting it is--especially enthusiastic drumming. But, I would forego the singing for digging into the Word everytime. On the edge of my seat. Listening. God is speaking. YES! I think of these devious strategies of the enemy daily now--seeing them regularly. And, the attacks aren't even cleverly cloaked anymore. God help us. For me, I'm sticking to His Word. Praying to be arrested by His Spirit every time.

Oh, you hit the nail on the head with this one, my friend...satan will use ANYTHING...ANYTHING he can to distract us from hearing God's word, I am totlally convinced of that! I even think he will use a crying baby, people coughing loudly and many other things. I normally do sit near the front and since I am part of the worship team, I am now wondering if people can see through my skirt...lol! I do prefer to sit close to the front for the very reason of too many distractions in the back....you see everyone whispering, writing notes to each other, texting, etc., etc. Anywhere God's truth is spoken, we can be assured that satan will be right there with one distraction or another. Oh, and if it makes you feel any better, I get that little "twitch" every now and then and it nearly drives me insane! I have always pictured a little man with a jack hammer drilling into my eyelid when this happens. Well, now I will be imagining that little man with horns, wearing red pj's, and jabbing me with his pitch fork instead of the jack hammer! Thanks, alot! LOL! Happy July 4th, my sweet friend...come on over any time and sit on the front porch that I don't have (yet) and I"ll fix you some fried green tomatoes!!

Your dialogue when you woke up is one I do every Sunday. I feel a tad guilty admitting that.

I go to church with my girls. My husband isn't a believer. All week I'm alone with them but on Sunday, I have to get them ready to go to church and sometimes I wish I could just go by myself but I can't because they love it so much and would be devastated to see me go without them. Plus they need Christ in their lives.

So then I contemplate not going at all but I need to do this weekly. Without my dates with Christ, I'm less likely to converse with Him as much during the week.

Anyway, this was refreshing and reassuring to know that I'm not the only one who encounters these stumbling blocks and distractions.

"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

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About Me

I'm a middle-aged, married, Christian woman. I have one wonderful husband, two great adult sons, two awesome daughters-in-law, two precious granddaughters, and an adorable granddog (a beloved beagle!) I consider myself a COLEN ("Change-Of-Life Empty-Nester"). This is a time of transition in my life. Things are changing, and so am I. However, I desire nothing more than to serve my Savior. Please join me on my journey as I walk out my faith in the second half of life!

MY PRAYER

FAITHFUL ONE

"I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name."

Revelation 3:8, NIV

WHY I WRITE

"I write because I don't know what I think until I read what I say.

I write to discover what I know."

- Flannery O'Connor

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"You will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain - the place, O LORD, reserved for your own dwelling, the sanctuary, O Lord, that your hands have established. The LORD will reign forever and ever!"

(Exodus 15:17-18)

"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD...There he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths."

MY WORD FOR 2016

Word origin: 1550's, "pleasing to the mind," also "full of gratitude," from obsolete adj. grate "agreeable, thankful," from Latin gratus "pleasing" – derived from the same word origin as the word "grace."

The trick to changing your behavior is to become more thankful.

The practice of gratitude involves a focus on the present moment, on appreciating your life as it is today and what has made it so.

Let us begin an eternal quest to express in new and creative ways our thanks to God.

So I'm breathing in Your grace,

And I'm breathing out Your praise.

Let our prayers be the overflow of a grateful heart to God.

Three steps in prayer:

PRAISE – praise, reverence, worship, adoration, and awe for who God is and what He does

ASK – honest, earnest, and intense requests

THANK YOU – always end with thanksgiving for everything

Pulpit commentary:

In everything give thanks.

In every circumstance – in joy and in sorrow; for everything – for prosperity and for adversity; in every place – in the house of God and on the bed of sickness.

Christians should not only be engaged in constant prayer, but in constant thanksgiving.

For this – this thankful spirit – is the will of God, His desire.

God by the gift of his Son has laid us under the obligation of perpetual thanksgiving. Our whole lives ought to be one continued thank-offering for all the blessings of redemption.

Gill's Exposition:

Thanks are to be given to him for all things…

For all temporal good things;

for our beings, the preservation of them;

for food and raiment, and all the mercies of life;

for the means of grace, the word and ordinances, and the ministers of the Gospel;

and especially for Jesus Christ, for such a…Saviour, and advocate with the Father, as he is; and for life, peace, joy, comfort, righteousness, and salvation in him.

Thanks should be given to God in every circumstance of life; in adversity, as Job did; when not in so comfortable and agreeable a frame of soul as to be wished for…even under the temptations of Satan…since the grace of God is sufficient to bear up under them, and deliver out of them.

[Give thanks] in afflictions of every kind, since they are all for good – temporal, or spiritual, or eternal.

The enemy specializes in making me feel discontent, unsatisfied, miserable, grumpy, self-focused, negative, and fearful.He brings nothing but suffering and pain – but You, O God, specialize in making megrateful...

TEACH ME YOUR WAY, LORD.

MY VERSE FOR 2016

"Rejoice always and delight in your faith; be unceasing and persistent in prayer; in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus."

(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, AMP)

A PRAYER OF GRATEFULNESS

Dear Lord, I want to change my outlook. I want to transform my spirit. I do not want to go through another day without remembering all that You have given me, and thanking You for it. Please give me the power to be thankful in all things, and for all things, for You are with me in all of it. Let me never forget that You work all things together for good, and for that I am eternally grateful.

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MARTY

"All creatures great and small, The Lord God made them all!"

"You care for people and animals alike, O LORD."

(Psalm 36:6)

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."

- Anatole France

JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME...

...yesterday, today, and forever!

A WORD FROM THE WORD

"'I am the LORD; there is no other God. I have equipped you for battle...so all the world from east to west will know there is no other God. I am the LORD, and there is no other.'"

(Isaiah 45:5-6, NLT)

A "MESSAGE" FROM GOD

"'I am honored all over the world. And there are people who know how to worship me all over the world, who honor me...They're saying it everywhere: 'God is greater, this GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies.'"

(Malachi 1:11)

(All verses taken from "The Message" by Eugene H. Peterson)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

How do you cope with distress in your life?

Grateful Word:DISTRESS

"I tell you...if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."

(Luke 19:40, NIV)

ON PRAYER

Sometimes I get all messed up when I think about prayer. Sometimes I think I look at it backwards – thinking it's all about me communicating with God. It is that, for sure. But it's also a time for God to communicate with me. It doesn't have to be big and lofty, nor long and pious. It's just two people who dearly love each other seeking conversation and communion.

FAITH

Seeing great miracles does not necessarily lead to great faith. Rather, great faith comes from a deep-seated conviction that God is great.

GRATITUDE

"Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude."

- A. A. Milne

EL ROI

The God Who Sees Me

"Is it your wisdom that makes the hawk soar and spread its wings?"

(Job 39:26)

"I know now, Lord, why you utter no answer. You are yourself the answer. Before your face questions die away. What other answer would suffice?"

(C. S. Lewis, "Till We Have Faces")

PURPLE MOUNTAIN MAJESTY

"From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised."

ASLAN LIVES!

IN HIS EYES

MY OTHER BLOG

(For the complete story about "Bible Pick 'Ems," see my blog entry dated June 29, 2010)

(P.S. Please find references on the "BIBLE PICK 'EMS" Page on this blog!)

NOTE:

(Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, c. 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation)

PEACE LIKE A RIVER

WHAT IS LOVE?

Love is when you are missing some of your teeth but you're not afraid to smile because you know your friends will still love you even though some of you is missing.

By Emma K. - Age 6

"Out of the mouth of babes..."

A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.

Anonymous

When you are uncertain, it helps to have someone remind you what is true – someone who knows you well, who sees you, and keeps track of you – not just your body but your soul.

Emily Freeman

HE IS MY ROCK

"The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust..." (Psalm 18:2)

HOLD FAST

"Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse because it is built on solid bedrock." (Matthew 7:24-25)

WHEN I AM WEAK, HE IS STRONG

PROMISE FOR THE DAY

TRUST IN ME

YOU ARE NEVER ALONE

I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE

GOD PROTECTS THE CHILDLIKE...

"For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children."(Matthew 19:14)

MEET THE BIBLE

A ONE-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Reading this year from: "The Amplified Bible" by Zondervan and The Lockman Foundation, c. 1987 (revision)

"Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises to be fulfilled." (Romans 15:4, NLT)

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NLT)

"The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever." (Isaiah 40:8, NLT)

HOW GREAT THOU ART

"The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship." (Psalm 19:1)

"He counts the stars and calls them all by name. How great is our Lord!...His understanding is beyond comprehension!"

(Psalm 147:4,5)

"Praise the LORD from the heavens! Praise him from the skies!...Praise him, sun and moon! Praise him all you twinkling stars!" (Psalm 148:1,3)

"For your unfailing love is higher than the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens. May your glory shine over all the earth."

(Psalm 108:4,5)

"Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens. You have done such wonderful things. Who can compare with you, O God?" (Psalm 71:19)

"I alone am God, the First and the Last. It was my hand that laid the foundations of the earth, my right hand that spread out the heavens above. When I call out the stars, they all appear in order." (Isaiah 48:12)

"God made the earth by his power, and he preserves it by his wisdom. With his own understanding he stretched out the heavens. When he speaks in the thunder, the heavens roar with rain. He causes the clouds to rise over the earth. He sends the lightning with the rain and releases the wind from his storehouses." (Jeremiah 10:12-13)

ALL FOR HIS GLORY

I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God.

If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant.

But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by His marvelous grace.

I will commit myself to instruction and listen carefully

to words of knowledge.

I will leave it all in the Lord's hand.

I will trust Him.

For there truly is a reward for those who live for God.

ALL GLORY TO GOD FOREVER AND EVER!! AMEN!

I'D RATHER HAVE JESUS

I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause,

I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause -

I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame,

I’d rather be true to His holy name -

I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead,

I’d rather have Jesus than anything

This world affords today.

"So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless."

(1 Corinthians 15:58)

THE GLORIFIED ONE

SERVING THE MOST HIGH

Corrie ten Boom once said she was simply, "the skin on the hands of God."

"Love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:39)

"And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'" (Matthew 25:40)

"'And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.'"

(Matthew 10:42)

"...my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned to me by the Lord Jesus - the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God."